Suresh Nambiar Suresh Nambiar Asked 9 months ago

Why do elderly sleep so much?

My mother-in-law is getting quite old, and she takes many naps during the day and sleeps for long hours at night too. Is this normal for her age? Why do elderly sleep so much?

7

7 answers

Vivek Malhotra Vivek Malhotra Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago
Most liked

It's a combination of factors. Their sleep architecture changes, resulting in less deep, restorative sleep at night. Also, underlying health conditions, medications, and sometimes even loneliness or reduced activity levels contribute to increased daytime napping. It's not necessarily 'more' sleep in total, but it's often fragmented.

Shanta Devi Shanta Devi Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago

Oh, when you reach this age, your body just slows down, beta. Our sleep at night is not as deep as it used to be, so we feel tired during the day and need small naps. Also, some medicines make you drowsy. It's quite normal, as long as we are otherwise healthy. Just means our bodies need more rest.

Sunita Aggarwal Sunita Aggarwal Joined Apr 2026 7 months ago

Hehe, it's like their bodies are finally saying, 'Okay, time to chill a bit!' 😴 Their sleep cycles change, so they often get less deep sleep at night and need to catch up during the day. Plus, any health issues or meds can make them sleepy. As long as they're otherwise active, it's usually just a part of aging! ✨

Powered by

Consult a internal medicine specialist

Anil Kumar Anil Kumar Joined Feb 2026 8 months ago

My father is like that now. He used to be very active, but now he takes a nap almost every afternoon. The doctor said it's common as you get older because sleep isn't as good at night. Also, he has a few health issues and takes some medicines, which I think makes him sleepy. It's just his body's way of coping.

Priya Sharma Priya Sharma Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

While diet is crucial for energy, for elderly people, increased sleep often stems from changing sleep patterns, where deep sleep is reduced at night. Their bodies are also doing more 'maintenance' work. A light, balanced vegetarian diet can support their energy levels, but this change in sleep usually requires understanding their overall health, not just food.

Related reads

All articles
Rajesh Khanna Rajesh Khanna Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

Tell me about it, I'm already halfway there! 😂 Elderly people often sleep more because their night sleep is lighter and broken. Plus, all those aches, pains, and medicines can make you drowsy. It's like their body is demanding a 'recharge' more often. Can't blame them, life's tiring, even without responsibilities!

Siddharth Jain Siddharth Jain Joined Jun 2026 5 months ago

It's easy to find a hundred reasons online for why elderly sleep more, but many are just guesses. The actual reasons are complex, involving changes in brain structure, hormone levels, and often underlying medical conditions or medications. If you're concerned about an elder's sleep, please consult a proper doctor. Don't rely on random remedies or explanations.

Evidence-based health, reviewed by clinicians. Free, weekly.